Welcome Jackson James Morton

Oh yeah, I had my baby, like 6 crazy weeks ago. Good thing too, huh? Going 7 weeks over my due date would be a big issue.
Here's the scoop for those who haven't listened to me share my baby story. Sadly, I didn't go into labor on my own. On the morning of Friday, February 5, I was having some Braxton-Hicks-like contractions. After dropping of the rest of my crew with a friend, we headed to the hospital. I was supposed to be there at 7, by the time we drove there, got checked in, got dressed, etc; it was probably 8am when they started my Pitocin. As a general rule, I don't like the hospital. I get super stir crazy and bored. A girl can only take so much cable TV. Don't get me wrong, my hospital was great and had a much larger room than I have ever had. Nonetheless, it's not my fav place. So, after they started my Pit, I went for a walk around the labor and delivery unit that I had never toured before. In my previous labors, I have done lots and lots of walking to help baby come (12 hours of labor before). This time, a few rounds of walking had me wanting to go sit in bed. Jake, being my awesome labor coach, wanted to see me up and moving...not sitting...let's get baby here! So instead of sitting in bed, I headed back to my room for a warm shower.
Again, soon the contractions became more than I wanted to do on my own, so I got out and tried to head to bed. Jake continued in his good coaching, and encouraged me to take my contractions standing up. They were coming every two mintues, so I had little time to recover between them. By about 10am, I was miserable...crying, moaning, whining...I didn't want to get my epidural and be confined to bed. Again, usually labor lasts about 12 hours, I didn't want to be stuck in bed for 10. I was only dilated to a 2 when I came in. Nonetheless, I called for the anesthesia. They came quite quickly, though it seemed like forver. The doc was awesome and getting my epidural didn't hurt AT ALL for once. I remember counting the last 4 contractions that I could feel...after that, we checked and I was dilated to an 8. My doc came in and broke my water. Not too long after that, I told my nurse that I felt like pushing. She checked again and said I was at a 9, and called the doctor. As soon as he got there, I started pushing. A few contractions later, at 10:44am, Mr. Jackson James Morton arrived. He was 20 1/2 inches and 7 lbs. 8 oz. He was, and continues to be, a very sweet tempered baby. At birth, of course, he cried. But as soon as the nurse handed him to me and I laid him on my chest and started talking to him; he stopped. He's pretty much been that way ever since...little does he know that at some point, if he wants to get any attention around here, he's going to have to get A LOT louder.

No news is...

No news. Yup, that cute little ticker on the right shows that today I am 40 weeks pregnant. I have had one baby come on their due date (Brooklyn), two come early (Ty and Sadie), and now...it's just a waiting game. I am scheduled to be induced if I don't go into labor before Friday. My doctor doesn't seem to think I will...sigh. It's worked out for the best, I guess, as Ty was nice enough to bring home the stomach flu Monday. So far, just me, Jake and Ty have gotten sick. Just when I was thinking it couldn't get more uncomfortable than being 40 weeks pregnant. I'm hoping I can keep my girls healthy and have this baby on Friday! If they get sick, we'll postpone the induction...and wait. I'm sure sometime two weeks from now, when I'm not getting any sleep, I'll realize being pregnant wasn't so bad (or NOT!). Wish us luck!

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time, more than 5 years ago, I used to lament the fact that new moms had little in the way of private time. Often, I would share this frustation with other young, new mothers; and find the same issues. Showers, in this new stage of motherhood, were a rare luxury. After going a day or two without showering (not that it mattered, I wasn't going anywhere) I would resolve myself to allowing time for a short shower. I would tow either the baby monitor (if Brooklyn was sleeping) or the baby herself in a bouncy seat into the bathroom, so that she didn't have a single moment of need. Even at that, I would shower as quickly as possible, as to be able to meet her every demand, immediately. After all, the experts say that it is important to respond quickly to your baby, that will establish trust, and then they will cry less because they trust you to take care of them (ha, ha, those experts).
Five years later, I have learned this: kids cry. They will cry whether or not you respond. In fact, it is possible that too quick of a response will inicit more crying, because they learn that as soon as they make a peep, Mom jumps into action. So, this morning in the shower, I relished in the hot water as I overheard all three of my kids at the door. Whining, talking, asking questions, crying, etc. was all part of it. I did not feel guilty that the door was locked. It did not ruin my shower. I did not feel any pressure to shower more quickly (in fact, knowing what was awaiting me probably made me stay there longer). I figure, when all of them are at the door, at least I know where they are and what they are doing. I would probably be more worried and hurried if I didn't hear any noise outside the door.
Now, of course, this will all change within the next week, as I add a new baby to the mix. I'm certainly not trusting enough of the level of care that his siblings will/will not provide to leave a new baby unsupervised...but I might be able to still lock that door, take the baby inside the bathroom, and enjoy a shower (even if he wimpers or whines a bit). After all, every other second of my life is dedicated to them; a shower isn't much to ask (besides, Brooklyn and Ty are now old enough to tell me that I STINK!)

The Organ Piper

If you live here in Milwaukee, and you have been to The Organ Piper, this is SO Wisconsin. It's a little morbid...but talk about a way to go! (If you haven't been to The Organ Piper, it is a "cultural" experience on par with demolition derbys and the tour of Miller brewery.) It's even family-friendly...it's like Chuckee-Cheese, but less refined. It is the kind of place that you think would be great for the filming of a horror show. Basically, you sit in a huge room and eat pizza; while the organ player plays tunes at the front of the room. He can play about ANYTHING from memory, and all over the room are strange accessories to the organ (drums, dancing bears, wooden ducks, lights, extra pipes, bells, whistles etc.) that are played with the organ.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/82129637.html

Miss Sadie

I haven't posted pictures in a long time. Sorry about all the ranting and raving and serious lack of cute kid pictures. My camera is a bit out of commission. I was just looking for Christmas pictures to post, and apparently, we only got video. Bummer.
Miss Sadie loves the snow. As I get ready for a new baby, it is crazy to see that my "baby" Sadie is a real little girl. She officially graduated this week from 18-month clothes, which is actually a huge step for her. The past few months, she has actually had a bit of a growth spurt, I was just late in pulling out too-small clothes. She can still fit waist-wise, but her pants were capris. She is actually almost as tall as Ty, it's something that oddly snuck up on me and I hadn't realized. Yay!

Contributing to the Delienquency of Minors

Over the past few weeks, Jake and I have had several experiences that are leading me to believe that possibly my children's behavioral problems are made worse by society. While I spend much of my life trying to teach my children that they are not entitled to everything they want, those around me seem determined to thwart my efforts.

Take yesterday, for example. After a trip to the museum, Jake and I decided to take them out to eat. Really "out to eat", as in, actually eating inside an dining establishment. Typically, if we "eat out" we lean towards drive-thrus and take-out. Seriously, would you want to eat in public with my kids? Anyway, we certainly didn't choose anywhere super-nice to eat, just a hot dog shop on Marquette's campus. Baby steps. Maybe if a few times a year I take them somewhere like that, they can learn to act like real people when eating out by the time they're 15.

Anyway, so here's where it gets good. We make it into the store, help the kids decide what to order (big decision, corny dog or hot dog) and get them settled at a table. Thankfully, school is almost out and the place was quiet. After ordering, Brooklyn began to whine about wanting chips. We tried to explain that we didn't choose chips today...we had delicious hot dogs...normal parent stuff. The guy behind the counter began holding up a bag of chips for her as we spoke. Yeah, he gave 'em to her, as if the only thing holding us back from giving her chips was the dollar we would have to pay for them. Then, I went to fill up their drinks. Because water is less sticky than root beer, I had chosen to get them water to drink. As I began to fill their cups, again, Brooklyn started in on the whining, wanting soda. Before I could tell her no, the guy behind the counter said, "c'mon, they can have whatever they want!" Arggg! Lastly, as we were leaving, Ty started in on the chips again, he wanted more, or a different variety, or some crazy demand. Jake and I glared at our new friend, and kindly, but firmly, said "no chips". He went behind the counter and picked up a plate of homemade muffins and presented each of my greedy children with one! So undermining...but so "nice". What's a parent to do?

A similar thing happened a few weeks ago. Jake was at Kinkos with Brooklyn and Ty. He had to print off something for school. He had told the kids that IF they were good THEN he would buy a candy for them. They were NOT good, and as he was checking out, they were both sobbing about the loss of their treat and making promises of future goodness. He stuck to his word and didn't buy them candy. Then, the lady working there handed them a candy bar and told Jake that she wanted to buy it for them. She felt bad for them, listening to them cry. Hey lady, are you going to feel bad for them, when they become juvenile delinquents? Will you send them candy in jail? Sigh. I think it has something to do with bleeding heart college-age kids; who have no idea how much they are corrupting my kids. Good thing that the majority of my time is spent places where either I am surrounded by understanding moms (who know better than to never intervene, other than maybe to give ME a candy bar to help ME cope); and older people, who are infamous for unsolicited advice and dirty looks when my kids misbehave. Hey, I'll take it, over indulging my kids!

Bottom-Tier Friends -- Not Card-Worthy

I'm in a quandary this holiday season. One of my favorite holiday traditions is giving and receiving Christmas cards. I have a "special" place where I put all of them up; I can see them regularly and I am reminded of how blessed I am with beloved family and friends across the country. Everyone has their own set of "rules" regarding Christmas cards. Some people, send them to everyone. Some people (like myself) send them to friends and family who are not "close". ("Close" is somewhat relative, as I send cards to members of my church congregation in West Bend Wisconsin, only about 25 minutes away. For me, "close" friends are those that I see on a regular basis; and I make goodies for them instead of a card.) Anyway, card worthiness is certainly an issue in friendship; especially when most of us have many "friends", due to the ease of reconnecting online.

This is where I get to my peeve. I've received several email Christmas cards this year. Love ya friends, but can I say, tacky? Am I not worth the buck or so it would cost you to print and mail a card? How am I supposed to reciprocate? Do I keep you on my Christmas list, or do I create a list of bottom-tier friends for whom our relationship is strictly digital? What do I do with an email card? Am I supposed to print it out myself and put it with my other cards? What about people who have emailed me that I wasn't planning to mail? Is it the same as when I get an unexpected card in the mail and then reciprocate? Do I just hit "reply"? There are no easy answers, although if you get a digital card, you will know that you have been put on my "bottom-tier" list. Am I off on this, or does doing a digital card ruin all of the fun? I just can't help but ask myself, "did they send cards to their 'better' friends?"